NCSCN applauds Tinubu over reforms in education sector
By Bridget Ikyado
The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN), has applauded the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration for what is described as “reformation and improvement of all sectors, especially the educational sector.”
The NCSCN gave the applause during a press conference held in Abuja, on Wednesday, February 14th, 2024, where they discussed the development of the Nigerian University system, with special focus on the National University Commission (NUC).
Speaking through its Executive Director, Comr. Blessing A. Akinlosotu, the group said President Tinubu’s appointment of Prof. Tahir Mamman as Honourable Minister for Education and Dr Tanko Sununu as Honourable Minister of State (Education), his signing of the Student loan into law after just a few months in office, as well as the removal of the Universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), remains monumental achievements which goes a long way to underscore the high priority his Government places on Tertiary Education.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has asserted his commitment to educational development by appointing an astute Academician and renowned Administrator, Prof. Tahir Mamman as Honourable Minister of Education, to lead the kick-starting of his educational policy implementation. Shortly after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office, he signed the Student Loan Bill into Law within few months as President; an action that remains a monumental achievement which goes a long way to underscoring the high priority his Government places on Tertiary Education, thus providing opportunity for expansion of access to higher education for indigent students, across the federation. Equally the removal of Universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), which enhances corporate governance of the universities and removes unnecessary bottle necks in implementations of programmes and projects by the Institutions. This single action also underscores Mr. President’s compliance of the subsisting court order in that regard and respecting the yearnings of university based unions.”
They commended the President and the Honourable Minister of Education for approving the policy framework for Transnational Education, which aims at facilitating collaborations and partnerships between tertiary institutions in Nigeria and other universities globally.
The group urged the Minister and Management of the Ministry of Education, to sustain the drive in moving the university system to more enviable heights.
Speaking on the activities of the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), the group said they are impressed with the NUC under the leadership of the Acting Executive Secretary, Mr Chris Maiyaki, for its commitment towards ridding Nigeria of substandard academic delivery.
They alluded the steady ascension which the Nigerian Universities have begun to witness internationally, to the pragmatic regulations by the leadership and management of the NUC, adding that, the implementation of the newly redeveloped Core Curriculum Minimum Academics Standards (CCMAS), which offers the Universities the opportunity to develop 30 per cent contents of its Curriculum, is a major milestone in attainment of functional and qualitative education in Nigeria.
“Furthermore, implementation of the newly redeveloped Core Curriculum Minimum Academics Standards (CCMAS), which offers the Universities the opportunity to develop 30 per cent contents of its Curriculum while 70 per cent is provided by the NUC is a major milestone in attainment of functional and qualitative education in Nigeria. This is expected to impact positively on Nigerian Universities as it would assist in producing highly skilled, fit-for-purpose graduates, in line with current realities of our country.”
They thanked Mr Chris Maiyaki for improving the welfare of the staff of the Nigerian University Commission and for also improving the working relationship between the management of the Commission and Vice Chancellors of the Universities, urging the management of the NUC to consolidate on the gains made in order to sustain the stability and progress in the university sub-sector.